Parks and Recreation

SAINT PAUL, Minn. – The City of Saint Paul announced today it has finalized the contract with Ryan Companies US, Inc., to design and build the Lowertown Ballpark.

Ryan Companies was awarded the project in January after receiving the highest cumulative score during the RFP selection process. The cumulative score was based on the written proposal, budget proposal, and an interview process.

“This is a huge milestone for the ballpark. We are officially ready to get started on cleaning up the site and creating the final design for the ballpark,” said Saint Paul Mayor Chris Coleman. “We believe that Ryan Companies can help us create a reality for this ballpark that is better than what we could have hoped for.”

The design-build contract will be executed in two parts. The first part of the contract, which was finalized today, includes completing the design of the ballpark. Ryan Companies will receive $1.72 million for this work, which is a portion of the $3.48 million budget the company proposed during the RFP process. Once the design process is complete, the second part of the contract will be executed, which will formalize the final construction cost and provide for the remainder of the proposed budget.

“The design-build process will help us design the best possible project within our existing budget while making sure we are ready for opening day in 2015,” said Saint Paul Parks and Recreation Director Mike Hahm. “This is a complex project that will be built on a complicated site. We have the right team and approach to make this a success on a number of different levels.”Work will begin on the ballpark’s schematic design and the site’s environmental assessment worksheet (EAW) immediately. Abatement and demolition of the Diamond Products building is expected to begin in the summer, and construction on the ballpark is scheduled to start in the fall of 2013. The ballpark is expected to be complete by spring 2015.

About the Lowertown BallparkThe Lowertown Regional Ballpark will act as home to the Saint Paul Saints and amateur baseball teams from across the region. It is expected to bring 400,000 people per year to downtown Saint Paul and will have a yearly economic impact in the millions of dollars. The project is expected to create 500 full and part-time jobs and will become a center for statewide youth and amateur sporting events.

About Saint Paul Parks and RecreationSaint Paul Parks and Recreation is a nationally accredited and gold medal award-winning organization that manages more than 170 parks and open spaces, AZA accredited Como Park Zoo and Conservatory, 25 city-operated recreation centers, four municipal golf courses, more than 100 miles of trails, an indoor and two outdoor aquatic facilities, a public beach, a variety of premium sports facilities, and Great River Passage - which is the new identity for all proposed public development along Saint Paul's more than 17 miles of Mississippi riverfront. For more information about Saint Paul Parks and Recreation, visit www.stpaul.gov/parks